The recycling centre in Shrub End, Colchester, is closed after a man suffered a possible heart attack behind the wheel of a car, which collided with a wall.
A spokesman for Essex Police said the man, from the Colchester area, was driving a Ford Mondeo towards the recycling centre when it crashed into the side.
He said the ambulance service tended to the man, but he passed away.
A spokesman for Essex County Council said the recycling centre is closed until further notice due to the incident, which happened at about 11am.
The police are investigating what happened.
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